A/N: Good morrow good people :D How we all going? Nothing really to report this week. Life is busy, as it always is this time of year, but here is an Age of Healing update for you to chew on while I get Mothers, and Christmas sorted out.
Everyone really needs to thank Spin properly this week, cos she's been SOOOooo busy it's ridiculous, and yet, here we getting updates! She's pretty awesome!
I shall try to keep the FB page a little more up-to-date with things. EmPoweredBeingsFanFiction is the page name, check it out if you haven't already.
P.S. This chapter is not quite what any of us expected, but we need it, honest!
-0-
By the time lunchtime on Saturday came around, Minerva was exhausted. She'd been up through the night with Álainn for the last two nights and right now all she wanted to do was relax for a few hours, but alas it was not to be. Today she'd spent the morning firing off replies to owls and getting Álainn ready to spend the afternoon with Pomona and Filius… Except for some reason she couldn't seem to find her baby blanket anywhere.
A knock at the door disturbed her search and she huffed impatiently and bade them enter. Without turning around to see who it was, she lifted cushion after cushion on her sofa while trying to find the Merlin-forsaken blanket.
"Um, Professor?"
She turned with a smile as Draco Malfoy stood awkwardly at the door, and she waved him into the sitting room where he sat on the floor and immediately started playing with Álainn's feet.
"Are you, I mean– I mean, can I help you with anything?" he asked, looking awkward.
"Oh, no thank you Draco," she said absently. "I just don't seem to be able to find Álainn's baby blanket."
"Um, Professor?"
Minerva stopped what she was doing and turned to look around at the wizard, who was glancing nervously between her and Severus' portrait.
"What is it Draco? If I don't find it, then she won't sleep and then Pomona, sorry, Professor Sprout, will have my wand by the time we get back."
"Why not Accio it?" he asked haltingly.
Minerva closed her eyes, berating herself silently for her stupidity – both, for not thinking of it, and for not letting Albus and Severus advise her an hour ago before she put the silencing spell on them.
"Accio Álainn's blanket," she sighed.
The offending article flew through the air and into her hand, to her absolute mortification.
"Thank you, Draco," she said tersely.
"You're welcome, Professor," he said with a smile.
"Now, could you perhaps pick Álainn up and help us get through the door before I completely lose my mind?" she requested, smirking at him.
"Uh ,okay."
She watched out of the corner of her eye as the young man pondered for a moment before tentatively sliding his hands under the babe and picking her up carefully as if she was made of glass. Smiling to herself she gathered the rest of Álainn's things and ushered Draco and the little one out of her rooms.
"Now, we just have to drop this little one off at Professor Sprout's quarters and then we shall be on our way," she explained without taking Álainn from his arms, even though a small part of her wanted her back.
"Professor, I –"
She turned back to look at him, fixing her glare to show she would not argue with him about anything right now.
"Nothing, Professor."
"That's right. Come along Mr Malfoy," she said with a grin, "let's go."
They walked briskly through the castle, Minerva greeting every student that stopped them, but she also noticed that Draco hung back as much as possible. Indeed, even a few of the Slytherins glared at him. Most of the upper year groups were already in Hogsmeade, so they got away relatively unscathed.
"Here we are," she said, knocking on the frame of a portrait of a giant oak tree.
"Ah, Minerva, and, oh Mr Malfoy too, how are you?" Pomona asked, inviting them in with a wave of her hand.
"Fine thank you, Pomona, and thank you so much for doing this. I'm sorry for the lateness of our arrival, I am afraid I lost Álainn's blanket."
"Yes, it's not easy getting out the door on time with children in tow, is it Minerva?" she said with a grin, walking over to Draco. "May I hold her, Mr Malfoy?" she asked politely, waiting until he agreed before taking the sleeping Álainn out of his arms.
"You have a way with her Draco," Minerva said, nudging him gently with her shoulder.
"I, um, thanks," he said with a shrug.
"Indeed you do," Pomona grinned, Summoning a pretty little cot and placing the baby in it. "Have you been around babies often?"
"Um, no Professor, I– No."
"Well, you are quite accomplished," she said with a reassuring smile. "Now, Minerva, I believe you have to leave if you want to be back in time for dinner."
"Ah, yes. Come along Draco, we must be off. Pomona, thank you again for doing this, I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Nonsense, Minerva. It's been years since mine were this small, she and I will have a lovely afternoon together. You take your time."
Minerva and Draco left Professor Sprout's living quarters and made their way silently into the castle grounds, but Minerva could tell that Draco was currently stewing over something in his head.
"Professor?" he asked hesitantly. "Professor Sprout has children?"
Minerva almost laughed at the perplexed look he had on his face, but she kept her countenance and simply nodded.
"Indeed she does, four in fact. The youngest is not that much older than you."
"Oh," he said, descending into thought again. "Do I know any of them?"
"I believe you are acquainted with Mr Oliver Wood?" she said grinning as his jaw dropped open and he stopped.
"You're kidding?"
"Indeed I am not. Professor Flitwick was quite put out that his own son was placed in Gryffindor and not Ravenclaw, and then proceeded to lead the Quidditch team to victory."
"Wow," Draco said quietly. "I had no idea."
They reached the gate, but before they Apparated to Diagon Alley she turned to him and waited until he looked at her.
"You thought we didn't have lives, didn't you?" she said teasingly. "That we simply existed for nine months and then disappeared in a cloud of smoke until the school year restarted."
"Um," he chuckled, "I guess so."
"I think you're beginning to grow up, Mr Malfoy," she said holding out her arm for him to take. "Deep breath."
They popped out of existence on the boundaries of Hogwarts, appearing instantaneously in the alley around the corner from the Leaky Cauldron.
"Are you married?" he asked as soon as he'd got his breath back.
She paused, straightening her hat as she endeavoured to work out what to say to him, but when she looked in his eyes she saw only genuine interest, and in a show of trust that she was sure Draco would understand, she nodded.
"I was, but he died, not that long ago in fact," she said quietly, cupping his cheek. "I was the wife of Albus Dumbledore."
-0-
Draco's heart stopped in his chest as his body went weak and slammed against the wall behind him. He didn't know what to do, what to say and so he slid down the crummy wall, ignoring the pull on his robes, until he was sitting on the foul concrete, his knees against his chest and his arms wrapped around them.
"Draco?"
He could hear her, but it seemed as though she was miles away, his teacher, the teacher he never thought he'd get along with, his Headmistress.
"I, I'm so sorry," he said, shaking as he clenched his fists, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
"Draco? Draco, come back to me lad," she commanded and he couldn't ignore it. She'd always had a tone that brokered no argument. He looked up at her and saw the pity in her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"Hush now, child," she said, smoothing his face over with her hands, and he discovered to his shame that he was crying like a child. "Relax, Draco," she soothed, sitting down next to him on the cold floor.
"No, Professor, you can't, I'm not worthy, I'm –" he mumbled, trying to move away from her. "I, I killed him! I was going to, I –"
"Easy lad," she said again and he felt her arm steal around his shoulder, tipping him slightly to rest against her own. "I know all about that night, and I know what kind of position you were in, and while I am furious beyond belief, I am in no way angry with you, any more than I am angry with Severus."
Draco sat for a moment, relishing in the comfort she was affording him until he realised what he was doing.
"No, Professor, you can't, I nearly –"
"Draco, Draco, calm down," she said, following him as he scrambled away.
"No, I was standing there, I pointed my wand at him and I, I tried to –"
"Oh lad," she said quietly, moving to his side and wrapping strong arms around him. "Draco, has no one explained to you what happened?" she asked gently.
He didn't reply, but felt two fingers lift his chin and suddenly he was looking into her eyes, which were filled with tears.
"Draco, Albus manoeuvred the whole thing. He knew what was happening, and he made sure Severus was there to protect you when the time came." She wiped a tear from his own face, but it only caused more to fall. "He was dying lad, he was so very near the end before he left the school, and I had already said goodbye to him. He was under no illusions that it would be soon, he just desperately wanted you to be spared the horrid task of being the one to kill him."
"I –"
"You are not to blame, Draco; I have never held you accountable. You were trying to save your family – something any man of the house would do. I am proud of you, lad."
Draco felt something give in his chest and he clutched her as tightly as he remembered clutching his mother when he was a child. This woman was different, but the feeling was similar as she wrapped him up in a hug and held him, rocking gently from side to side until he had calmed down.
"Sorry," he sniffed.
"Nonsense . I apologise for never telling you, but I assumed you knew. Now, let's get going, or we'll miss dinner."
"Okay," he said, wiping his face with the back of his hand.
"Let's get straightened up and then we'll be on our way."
Just before they entered the Leaky Cauldron, Draco stopped his Headmistress with a hand on her arm.
"Professor?" he said quietly, waiting until she turned. "Thank you, really, for all that you've done – are doing for me."
"You're very welcome, now let's be off. Hold your head high, Mr Malfoy," she said with a wink. "You are more than worthy of the Malfoy name in my humble opinion."
He nodded and followed her through the pub, his head held high but his face blank. He was not the head of his family, but the way his father was after his stint in Azkaban, he might as well be. He simply walked by her side, silently letting her handle everything until they reached Ollivander's shop. He looked up at the building, now new and improved thanks to the renovations after its owner's return.
They walked in and stood waiting for the old man, until Draco could hold his tongue no more.
"Um, are you sure he'll serve me?" he asked finally. "I, I was not all that nice to him while he was, um, a resident of our household."
"Time heals all wounds, Mr Malfoy, and I am not a stranger to war," he said evenly, holding his gaze as he appeared behind the counter. "Professor McGonagall," he broke their eye contact with a nod in her direction. "What can I do for you today?"
"Young Mr Malfoy needs a new wand please, Garrick," she said politely.
"Ah yes, Hawthorn and unicorn hair if I am not mistaken," he said, glancing at Draco. "And I am not. I was under the impression that wand was no longer in your possession."
"Um, Pot– Um, Harry gave it back to me," he said quietly, "but it was never really the same."
"The wand chooses the wizard, Mr Malfoy," Ollivander said mysteriously, "and that wand was won from you in a duel – it's allegiance changed, and that is not something that will automatically change back."
"He said something like that, but I was using my mother's wand and that didn't feel right either."
"No, I imagine it wouldn't," he agreed, turning around and rummaging on the shelves. "I do not think this will be right for you, but let us begin somewhere. Black Walnut, nine and a half inches, unicorn hair core."
Draco took the wand from the man and screwed up his face as he felt his magic and the magic of the wand collide.
"No, I thought not," Ollivander said, turning back around. Draco glanced at the Professor who was sitting quietly to the side, watching on. "Sorry," he said contritely.
"Draco, it took me two whole hours to find a wand and I have it on good authority that Harry Potter tried nearly every wand in the store before finding his. Now, no more nonsense, just relax."
"Yes, Professor," he said with a chuckle.
"Okay, let's try Hawthorn, your old wand wood. I do not imagine it will choose you again, however." He looked at Draco over his glasses. "You have changed quite a bit since you were last in here."
Draco took the wand, feeling something tug at his memory as he shifted his grip, and performed a simple Lumos.
"NO!" Ollivander bellowed as the mirror behind him cracked. "Apple, a rare wand wood, but mixed with unicorn hair, it might just do it. For someone with high aims and ideals, doesn't like the Dark Arts…" he mumbled, offering Draco another box.
"But –"
"Draco, try the wand please," Professor McGonagall said from her corner, making him sigh and hold out his hand.
He gulped when he felt it respond. He performed the same spell, but it spluttered and died after barely a second and it was taken from his hand immediately.
"Close," Ollivander said. "Very close. Ah, how about Cedar with dragon heartstring?"
Draco couldn't help but smile as the wand landed in his hand. He felt a rush but it was tempered, as if it was waiting for something.
"Ah, I see…" Ollivander said, taking the wand back. "You are loyal, Mr Malfoy, unusually so, given all that you have been through, and you have a strong character, yet the wand perhaps senses some caution in you. Cedar values perception and clear vision, and I think you are not quite there. Wait here, I know which wand you need."
The wandmaker disappeared into a back room and Draco moved over to Professor McGonagall's side.
"I, I don't have a strong character," he whispered, afraid of the words he was uttering. "I, I am not brave."
"On the contrary, Mr Malfoy," she said, lifting his chin. He could see the sincerity in her eyes as she spoke. "You are just as brave as anyone else involved in the war, least of all for telling someone like me your fears."
"Yes, but, you are –" He sighed, he wasn't really sure what she was. "You were always there, all the time. No-one ever liked being punished by you, not because you were harsh, like Severus, but you, I don't know, we felt like you were disappointed whenever you caught us; like we didn't want to let you down."
"As it should be," she grinned, nodding him back over to Ollivander as the old man returned.
"Now, this is a Willow wand. It is quite rare, especially so when paired with dragon heartstring."
Draco hesitated for a moment as he reached out.
"My father had a dragon heartstring wand," he said with a frown. "And my grandfather."
"As do I, Draco," Minerva said. "There is nothing to fear."
Draco took the wand, letting out a breath as he felt the magic slide along his consciousness as if unfurling within him.
"Well, I said we could expect great things from Mr Harry Potter, but you, young man, you, I can imagine, will go far with this wand," Ollivander declared with a smug grin. "He who has furthest to travel will get there fastest with willow," he said enigmatically, moving behind the counter. "That wand has waited for you for quite a while, Mr Malfoy. As such, I will simply charge you three Galleons and bid you a good day."
"Thank you," Draco said quietly, looking up at the wizened old man. "And, for what it's worth, I am sorry for your treatment."
"Thank you for saying so," Ollivander said with a small bow. "Good day to you, and you Minerva."
"Good day, Garrick," she said with a smile as she held open the door for Draco.
"Do you feel better now?" she asked as they walked back towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"Yeah," he said quietly, his hand itching to touch the wood once more. "It's even better than my old one."
"I think there are some notes on wandlore amongst Hermione's things that I've had sent to my rooms. I do not think she would mind if you perused them for more information on your wand of choice. I have no doubt that she has done plenty of thorough and in-depth research on the subject, knowing her as I do."
"I," he paused, letting her guide him through the now crowded bar, "I never really knew her at all, not properly. The only thing that I knew for certain was that she was smarter than me, and I hated her for it."
"Hate is a strong word Draco, one which you need to think about before using," she said holding out her arm. "You will not find a kinder soul than that of Hermione Granger," she uttered quietly before Disapparating back to Hogwarts.
"I will leave you here, Master Malfoy," she said as they walked into the grounds. "I must go and rescue Álainn from Professor Sprout. No doubt both of them will be sick of each other by now."
"Professor?" he called as she stalked away quicker than he imaged she could move. "Thank you again for today. If, if it's at all possible, could I drop by sometime and get those notes off you?"
"Of course, come by after dinner tomorrow and I'll have them ready for you."
"Thanks," he said gratefully. "Good evening, Headmistress," he said, remembering his training from when he was small, bowing to her as was the old custom. He looked up at her, and was pleased to see her smiling.
"Thank you, Mister Malfoy. May your house ever live on," she said, with a small, but obvious curtsey.
Draco watched the strange, but amazing Headmistress walk back into the castle, not even realising he'd taken out his new wand.
"She's crazy, and not at all like I thought she would be," he muttered to himself. "A good ally to have."
Smiling for what felt like the first time in years, he returned to his common room and his homework. He was going to restore the name of Malfoy to something better than it had ever been. And for once, he was looking forward to the challenge.